Roma Education Fund Presentation by Rumyan Russinov Deputy Director

Background Budapest Conference, 2003 resolved to –establish a Decade of Roma Inclusion , during which countries would focus on reducing disparities in key economic and human development outcomes for Roma; and –establish an international Roma Education Fund. Donor conference, held in December, 2004 where pledges of US$42m were received. Donors included private foundations, Governments, international organisations and individuals. World Bank committed undertook technical work necessary to establish the Roma Education Fund in consultation with international organizations and donors, Roma and other stakeholders. Roma Education Fund was formally established as a Swiss foundation in January Governing Board has been appointed according to its statute and regulations. REF Offices established in Budapest, Vaci utca, 63 II/1

Our donors Committed Open Society Institute World Bank Council of Europe Development Bank CANADA GREECE IRELAND NETHERLANDS SLOVENIA SWEDEN SWITZERLAND UNITED KINGDOM European Foundation Center Under Negociations FRANCE GERMANY

Purposes of the Roma Education Fund The purpose of the REF is to contribute to closing the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma, including through desegregation of educational systems in Central and Eastern Europe and the countries that have formally joined the Decade for Roma Inclusion.

REF Approach Three primary functions: To make grants to public and private education sectors to help improve educational outcomes for Roma – the Fund will not substitute for what governments themselves finance, but will rather serve a critical catalytic and partnership-brokering role. To serve as an information clearinghouse on Roma education; To advocate for improved educational outcomes for Roma – for example, through reports on the economic, social and fiscal benefits deriving from Roma education.

Priorities and Criteria Support Roma leadership and participation Demonstrate sustainability and ‘scaling up’, including a contribution to policy reform and desegregation Positive impact on the communities (Roma and non-Roma) in which Roma education programs will be implemented Early priority given to countries participating in the Decade of Roma Inclusion and to programs included in Decade Actions Plans. Grants can cover both supply side and demand side interventions, ranging from preschool through to tertiary education. Projects will be co-financed by Government, EU, bilaterals and multilaterals wherever possible, and the REF will seek to have a catalyzing impact in order to take projects which have been successfully piloted to full scale.

REF Operations Operations began with outreach visits by REF staff to Decade countries to establish contacts with potential beneficiaries and to identify projects OSI transferred projects rolled over for one year Roma Memorial Scholarships continued More than 120 project applications received, with processing on a continuous basis (no deadlines) 24 grants approved in September, October and March Approved projects cover pre-school expansion, de-segregation and integration programs, Roma teacher training, community capacity building and outreach to parents and local authorities, and additional tuition and income support for Roma students. Study commissioned on economic benefits of improved Roma education outcomes, to support advocacy efforts and other studies and dissemination in preparation Further fundraising to replenish funds started. Detailed procedures and funding mechanisms being developed

REF Activities Grants –Pilot actions on the ground to guide policy and large scale program development –Scaling up of successful activities, jointly with government, –Studies, evaluation, strategic thinking to improve policies Policy Development and Technical Assistance –Studies and evaluation of projects and policies –Exchange of views, information dissemination –Country strategies (for each of the decade countries) –Advocacy based on best practices in design and implementation of policies.

REF Working approach Clear procedures described in an operational guideline, transparent and available by every one Strong emphasis on financial and physical monitoring with a solid Management Information System Strong focus on impact monitoring Provision of technical support and advice Importance given to dissemination of lessons learned. Web-site, news letter, conferences, seminars Strong presence in the field with hiring of a facilitators in each country, attention given to communication and discussion. Working with every one: government and civil society